A tape path roller guide has a cylindrical guiding surface between two flanges. A plurality of continuous venting valleys in the guiding surface are wholly parallel to a central axis of the cylinder forming axial paddle-like surfaces generating air flow away from the cylindrical guiding surface tending to draw air from the guiding surface. Thus, a tape is allowed to stay in contact with the guiding surface. Because of the continuous venting valleys, the roller cylinder is made by molding or extrusion.